Bidspirit auction | Massa'ot shel Rabbi Binyamin. Kushta,

Massa'ot shel Rabbi Binyamin. Kushta, [1543]. First Edition. One of the Most Important Jewish Travelogues - Sefer Massa'ot shel Rabbi Binyamin. First and extremely rare edition of one of the most famed Jewish travelogues. The book contains a live, first-hand description of Jewish life in varied places in the 12th century.  Rabbi Binyamin of Tudela, a Jewish traveller and explorer of the 12th century : in ca. 1165, he went on a long journey to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. He began his journey in Zaragoza, continuing from there to Southern France. After visiting Rome and Constantinople, he travelled to the Middle East via Syria and Eretz Yisrael, eventually reaching Baghdad. From there, he continued to Persia and the Arabian Peninsula, returning to Spain via Egypt and north Africa in 1173. He wrote the impressions from his journey in his travelogue, Massa'ot Binyamin, in Hebrew. In his book, Rabbi Binyamin describes the countries he visited, their Jewish population and communities, referring to the names of important Jews he met on the way. He recalls the customs and ways of life of the residents of the countries he visited. He also describes the places he visited as well as the buildings he saw. Rabbi Binyamin of Tudela's travelogue is important not only for studying Jewish history but also as a source of medieval geographical and ethnographical information. Since the 16th century, Rabbi Binyamin of Tudela's book was translated into most European languages and the name of the Jewish traveller became well-known.  One of the rarest books printed in Kushta.  Kushta. The Press of Eliezer ben Gershom Soncino, [1543]. First edition.  Originally: [32] leaves. In this copy: [29] leaves - the first leaf and two last ones are missing. 14.5 cm. Good-fair overall condition. Stains. Moth perforations. Tears along the edges and a restoration slightly affecting the text, Fine new binding.  The first and rare edition of the important and most well-known Jewish travelogue